This is a full Agricultural show and providing the weather is kind it's well worth a visit. Even if you are not going to show it's still worth entering as it's cheaper than paying at the gate.We Northerners are getting like the Scots, must be the credit crunch,

Cookie was resuced by the National Bedlington Rescue and was rehomed to a couple last January who lost their crossbred at the age of 15. Cookie is not a blog bedlington but maybe his owners will get to hear about the blog and the Fun Day. There is going to be lot of rescues taking part in the Midland fun day in May.

Good morning bloggers-Well done to all winners over the weekend. Now that spring has officially sprung and we are now in BST with nights getting lighter and days warmer we start to turn our attention to the garden and the spring planting and tidy up, please check that you have safe plants in your garden, especially people with inquisitive puppies. There are many plants that can be harmful and sometimes even fatal to dogs that we have in gardens, here are a few but there are many more-Larkspur, Star of Bethlehem, Iris, Lily-of-the Valley, Foxglove, Bleeding heart, Wisteria, Laurels, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Jasmine and Rhubarb , if you are in doubt about any please check before planting. I have ended up at the vets with sick puppies who have eaten things that they shouldn't have and it can be expensive and worrying.I hope that the bedlington that is needing re-homed is found somewhere special as she has had a miserable start to life through no fault of her own, we try our best to place puppies in safe and secure homes but it doesn't always work out and it's heart wrenching when you hear of these cases.At the moment my dogs are grazing like cows on the sprouting grass, I presume it's the sweet shoots they are after as they are not gulping loads down and then heaving and foaming as though to purge themselves, they have veggies with their dinner so I wouldn't have thought it was a lack of something either, is anyone else experiencing this? Good luck to everyone that is showing/competing this week. 'Till next timeTina.Thank you Tina, it is lovely to see everything lush green but we have a large garden and I hate all the hedge cutting and work that is involved with keeping it tidy. Still no excuse now we have light evenings. My dogs have veggies too but they still like to tear up bits of of grass and weeds with their front teeth.

I have just had a phone call to say there is a bitch up for re-homing. She is just eighteen months old and unfortunately has had a bad start being tied up for hours on end in a shed. She needs to be re- homed where there are no other dogs and with older children over 10. She is in rescue and apparently gaining confidence and improving daily. Please contact me for more information.

You here about terrible attacks like this but never dream it will happen to your best friend!

Candy

I haven't logged on to the blog for a few days as I have been too upset. I was taking Candy and Misty to the vets on Thursday morning, both of them on leads when out of nowhere Candy was attacked by a pit bull type dog. It just grabbed her and shook her, it would'nt let go. Its hard for me to write this so to cut a long story short my beautiful strong baby girl has survived. She was in intensive care 24 hours, she has a few broken ribs, part of her chest bone was damaged ands she had a punctured lung. We were able to bring her home on Saturday afternoon but she is on lots of medication and she is badly bruised and swollen. Now it is just a matter of time and lots and lots of tlc, but the vets have told us she will be fine. I will keep you updated on her progress. Gwen.

Oh Gwen what can I say, to see this dog tear into your little girl must have been so horrific! My goodness everyone here on the blog will be just so upset to think this could happen especially to dogs that were on the leash! Candy is home and she is going to get better but will she ever get over the trauma of the attack? This is all too sad.

On a brighter note an update from Jane with Ginny's best friend Mary the cat

Can you let every one know that Mary is slowly getting better.She is eating and drinking but still not keen on going very far from the door...It was a worrying time..I think another week and she should be back to her old self..Bye for now Jane...:)

Hello Martin Sorry we don't have any Mushy peas for the pie but there's garden peas or beans.

The Makems

We welcome some Monday mutterings from Martin Collier

What't the saying? You can take the show out of North Yorks but not the North Yorks out the show? It might be 'one time only' that the NBTC hold a show sarf of the M62 but at least it cut 40 miles off our journey! NBTC committee are to be congratulated for putting on a great show as always especially with the late change of venue. But it did leave me with one question - who forgot the peas? pie's just not the same without 'em. I attach a picture of the Miners Welfare Hall being set up, the AGM followed the show although, as can be seen, I reckon it was more of a secret bingo session.

On Monday we went to obedience. Jack was very good until my cousin and her Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy walked in. Jack doesn't really like him much and kept barking at him.Over all jack was quite naughty but with the distraction of the Staffy I am not surprised!On Tuesday we went to agility. Jack would run when he wanted but most of the time he ignored me. We had to put Jack on his lead a couple of times because he was very hit and miss. This week was an off week for Jack!On Thursday we went to ring craft. Jack was VERY good his stand was beautiful as was his heel. I only have one class next week, "obedience", there is no agility and we will not be going to ringcraft as I am dancing at my school. Our next show is the BTA open show at Middleton Cheney I am really looking forward to it. Jack is in Post Grad dog and special non breeders.Good luck with any shows, lots of love Victoria and Jack Bojangles.Thank you Victoria, I am sorry to hear Jack swtiched off at agility, bedlingtons are really hard to keep motivated, they get bored and hate repetative training. To keep motivation you have to make sure he is having great fun through lots of play during training and always finish the training session when he wants to do more!

29 March 2009

The penny has finally dropped

Another great day for Parker he ran clear in the agility and flew round the steeplechase class in 28 seconds, I can't tell you how excited I am no more running off and he is super fast!!! Can't wait until our next show! All in all a good weekend bringing home 7 prizes between the three dogs.

Well we have some good news. Millie has just passed her Good Citizens Silver Award! She was looking gorgeous for the event as both her and Mabel went to their auntie Dawn's for a much needed grooming session this afternoon, along with their buddies, Elaine & Ern's Mac and Lily. Maybe all that pampering helped her focus tonight, as she behaved herself perfectly throughout the test! We're very proud of her for perfecting the 2 minute down stay, which was what let her down on her previous attempt at the silver. She's even happy to stay down when Liza leaves the hall in class now, so she's got the Gold in her sights!

Love Sue, Liza, Millie & Mabel

Fantastic news many congratulations Millie, we will soon have a great bedlington display team! Are you coming to the Fun Day?

As Marie has said, it has been pretty quiet here too. The weather has either been cool & chilly or warm and rainy...BUT I do have grass again in my front yard. I will be picking my son Jerry up from the airport on Monday for a stay here...the girls are anxiously awaiting his arrival, so they can badger him for attention...he can't resist. He has not met Amelia or Storey yet, so he has yet to experience the onslaught of 5 dogs. It will be a long day in the car for us all, as the airport is a 4 hour drive away & and a 4 hour drive home, but the weather is supposed to be beautiful. I will try to get a photo of Jerry with all the girls. Soon I will be returning to work. We are expecting a quieter than normal season this year, with the economy and unemployment what it is, but I still think it will be good. Fingers crossed. Thank you everyone for the well wishes, I am feeling much better now. I think it might allergies. The girls are enjoying the nicer weather with the porch and the deck being open for them....and the smells in the yard are far more interesting now in the spring....today we found a VERY large present from the cat Simon....a dead rodent....YUCK!! the girls couldn't get enough time smelling the ground..all thoughts of morning potties left their heads. He is my little ratter and my weather man....that cat knows when it is going to rain!!! He insists on cat food in the shed, where it won't get wet, and even if the sun is out, if he is bothering me for food in the shed, then I know it is going to rain ....and it always does. I am going to miss being with my girls all the time when I go back to work, I really enjoy being home with them all day....that all from here. Until next week...Thank you Tricia, I expect you are really excited with Jerry arriving on Monday, safe journey and we will look forward to seeing a photo of him with the woofs! Simon looks very alert on the decking he obviously sees his role as chief rodent catcher.

Not a lot to report this week I'm afraid. The weather has been awful, the dogs need haircuts (again!) and there's still no lambs up here. At least the evenings will be lighter for longer from this weekend as we move the clocks forward. Maybe this will be the real start of Spring.I'm certainly looking forward to Easter as I have some time off work then, to spend with the dogs... and the camera of course! This week I enclose a waterfall shot, taken at Glenbrittle here on Skye. Marie

Wow Marie this photo is just magical, can't wait until we see your Easter photos

At the weekend Ralphie met a lovely 6 month old Bedlingtonlurcher called Rodney (the second one he's met with that name ! ) . They had a great time tearing it up and rubbing faces.I've also included a picture of 9 and a half year old Tilly who lives in Broadstairs . Ralphie really, really, really liked her but she wasn't impressed. He's not very good with the ladies!We did mention the blog, so their owners may visit one day.,Rebecca , Ed and Ralphie xThanks Ed and Becs Tilly looks great what a lovely liver coat she has, and Roders he looks a real character, great photos many thank for sharing with us.

Paula has emailed Enid with news that Craige Aitchinson is to have an exhibition in Abergavenny next month with new works and limited edition of some of his Bedlington paintings from 28th.April to 23rd.May.The private view is 6.30 on 25th. April and there is going to be talk entitled "Conversation with Craigie Aitchinson" at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny at 8 o'clock that night.The web address is http://www.artshopandgallery.co.uk/

Not far from this place was a really great dog friendly pub which is infamous for it's Hungarian goulash. Where were we - and because it's so easy - can you name the pub where Mac & Lily had their supper!Thanks Elaine, I wonder if it is "Stonehenge", no idea about the pub!

26 March 2009

Not a bedlington story but had to share this article with you that was published on the US Bedlington forum ( bedlington L) today

Jasmine the greyhound showersBramble the roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted in her fur.

In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary known as a willing haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.The dog had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, probably, a rhinoceros, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick. Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.""But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings."She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits. And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted in her fur.

Here we have a photo or all Tricia's woofs, she was trying to get them to pose, I think they took no notice when she asked them to look at the camera! Tricia has not been well so hope both Tricia and Tina are feeling better this afternoon. Good luck to everyone on Saturday at the National bedlington show, I will be at the end of the mobile phone as big Mo will phone me through the results. Hopefully by Saturday night there will be some show photos in my inbox. Saying this we are away at UK agility for the weekend with the caravan and hopefully with Jon's expertise I will be able to access my email upload pictures to the blog from the caravan, great this technology stuff!. I think a lot of wet weather gear is going to be needed by me and the dogs as all the agility is outside. Chelsea is the lucky dog staying at home, my parents are spending the weekend here to look after her.I have nothing much in my photo box and would like to upload photos ready to be published over the weekend, so please if you can help that would be great!

This topic has now been completely removed from the blog, I do not sit at this computer 24 hours a day and can't monitor every comment that is added! This site has proved to be popular with ALL bedlington fanciers whether you are a judge, have a pet, breed or show dogs, work them or play as I do with the agility and training. We can't all agree but as soon the comments get very personal about dogs or people the blog is no longer a friendly place for EVERYONE to visit!

Bedlington pictures is rareto the fact that very few if any other breed has such a comprehensive journal as this with the show photos, the weekly reports, and regular contributors with photos and competitions. The blog must keep a good reputation as it is viewed by several hundred folk world wide on a daily basis. Enough is enough, we must agree to disagree on certain aspects. There is nothing wrong with friendly debate! Please choose your words carefully and respect other people's opinions. I feel sad that I have had to write this note as K9 said, time to lighten up and look to the future, roll on the "Fun Day"

I have sent this photo was sent to me from Andy don't know if I am calming piper down or the other way around.This week's blog has been great with birthdays and updates on our favourite older dog as well as some great photos loved the two headed dogs well done Mark that must have taken for ever to take. Eston and Barnaby show was great fun as my first show as a committee member too It was great to see what happened behind the scenes and how much hard work goes into the organisation of a show. I take my hat off to everyone that is on a committee of any shows small or large, the dogs also did really well and were so well behaved.Ring-craft on Tuesday and only took whisper he was on top form and loved having mum all to himself . Piper was having a chill out night with her dad and when we got home they were both flat out on the settee what a life !Bit of a short one from me this week looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday good luck to everyone who is showing and I promise will try and get some photos Julie xThanks Julie, I will hold you to those photos! Being on a show committee is a great way to learn just what is involved in running a show, I take my hat off to all the show and club secretaries, they put in a lot of hours, keeping everything running smoothly.

25 March 2009

News from the Valleys

Hi, everybody, sorry I'm late today but we've been out to lunch. We caught the bus to Cardiff and the bendy bus down to the Bay and had fish and chips at Harry Ramsdons, Bus passes are great! Poor Elwyn had his operation cancelled at the last moment which is very frustrating when you get all worked up and worried about going into hospital. He is waiting for another appointment as it seemed there was a mix up between departments at the hospital. A case of the right hand not telling the left what was going on. As you can see , Ecco has learned how to scramble up the tree like Larry. The good thing is that he even managed to get down! We're off to the National Bedlington Terrier Show on the weekend and are staying in Doncaster on the Saturday night. Don't forget that the clocks go forward on Saturday so that's an hours less sleep. Tim and Julie Bouse will have to miss the Show because they are going to his son's wedding. I hope you all watched Coast last night because there were lots of shots that we have featured on "Where are we?". It made us want to go out with the camera soon. The plans for the Fun Day are progressing and we will get the full programme out soon. We will have to have a wet weather alternative to the racing because of "Elf and Safety". I'm thinking along the lines of pass the bone parcel and statues! Any ideas gratefully received. I do hope lots of you come and join in the fun whatever sort of dog you have

Thanks Enid, sad news about Elwyn's appointment it must be so frustrating waiting for a bed, hopefully it will be soon. Safe journey up t0 Doncaster. Derek Owen has 60 entries, a fantastic entry, I am sure you will all enjoy a great show! Don't forget your camera.

The lovely JanmarkBedlington is not the only one with two heads, here I have evidence of another Bedlington with two heads, one not even a Bedlington! Or perhaps it is Willow and her friend Jasper. :)Best Wishes, LorraineThanks Lorraine I wonder what they have found to eat in the big bowl!

24 March 2009

A very 13th happy birthday to Fosbury

Today is Fosbury's 13th birthday. He had a lovely Jumbone, which he demolished in next to no time. Then he and Jasper had a lovely walk in the park and celebrated with a Blog Pork Pie each. Last week the boys went to the pub where they met a lady who thought Fos was a puppy. He does look good for his age!

Martin and Julie

Happy birthday to Fosbury at 13 years young, it is fantastic to see these older dogs all enjoying life. Both Fosbury and Jasper suffer from Cushings Disease but it is being kept under control with medication . It is wonderful to see them looking so fit and happy.

Digger "can you put that camera down and open this gate: I can smell cats!"

Well the weather has improved, Drew is feeling much better and a day after having his medication came bounding up the stairs, leapt onto the bed with me in it and gave me a snog! He has not done that in years so must be a sign he is feeling better and looks a lot more relaxed. Sadly though Digger's blackouts haven't really altered much with the change of medication and he is averaging a black out a day - which is an improvement on the three/four but they still remain. Both of 'the boys' are back at the Vets this Thursday so will update you from there.However Gav and I went to see 'Marley and Me' last week - I liked it but Gav wasn't so keen and yes I cried at the end - as our dogs get older it becomes more important to treasure every day with them and to appreciate the small things, much of which we tend to take for granted when they are well - so I treasured the warmer weather last week. I took Drew for a wander round his favourite park by taking a break from work in the early afternoon and we were rewarded with the place entirely to ourselves - as Digger is now unable to walk that far we went out on our own for a mooch around the block and stopped off at our 'local' for a glass of pop, we sat out in the beer garden for the first time this year and chewed the cud with the landlord for half an hour! Not the most exciting details in the world but making the most of the good days. So go on give your dogs an ear scratch from us and do something special this week.Sal, Gav, Drew and of course Mr DiggsThank you Sally the boys are holding their own, it is very hard trying to keep older dogs well in their twilight years. Our Chelsea has definitely seen better days, she has an allergy problem difficult to control but she still enjoys her walk, loves her food and maintains a quality of life. I do have to watch the younger dogs as they will gang up on her times, I suppose it is all to do with pecking order and the weaker member of the pack!

On mothers day Lucy gave me some daffodils so here is her photo with them - I think Andrew had a hand in this exercise that morning. Later on that day my daughter and husband arrived with their dogs. I think that I have told you about Tiny the Rotty ! ! who is a year old now. She came over at Christmas and all three dogs got on fine. Well, now, may I introduce everyone to another lovely lurcher called Baldrick - just about 6 months old. Another rescue that has been with them just a month. Ben was a bit stroppy at first with another 'boy' on his patch but after a loooooong walk; the four of them became great friends racing each other round and round and round. Lucy who is top dog just had to put the youngsters in their place once and all was well.

Thank you Dora, lots of rescue dogs in your family, how lucky they are to have found such a caring family, it must great to watch them chase about all having fun together.

If you have details of Open Shows with bedlington classes that are not listed on the blog do send me the details. The more people that know the dates and places where these shows are held the better the entries. We need to encourage show committees to keep the classes going and persuade other shows to add Bedlington classes to their schedules.

This is Megan my beautiful blue lurcher bitch and Codey my lovely liver bedlington she is coming up to her first birthday on 2nd April she is out of Janmark Alannora and Xmas Holly.Thank you Gary so we don't get confused Codey's Mum in not willow (Aireview Xmas Holly) but another bitch with the same name, Codey's kennel name is Janwiffen . Lots of people keep bedlingtons and lurchers, I can see why, as all lurchers are just kind loving dogs who are so easy to live with!

My dad took jack to obedience. My dad says that Jack was better than the handler! Jack's stay was very good as was his recall , but their heel was all over the place!At agility Jack was very good. It was quite a hard course with 2 stars one after the other. Jack was very good but I wasn't quick enough! Linda,the instructor said that he may be ready for an agility show at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood. Please don't read too much into this as Jack is still very much hit and miss on the course! I think the reason for entering is to get me and Jack used to the atmosphere.On Thursday we took Jack to ringcraft. Jack was very good and walked really well. Naomi kindly took Jack up and made him walk and stand beautifully! I took a lowchen up who was called Tommy who was so much easier than jack! On Saturday Jack had a trim. He is all soft and fluffy on the body and I keep cuddling up to him!A happy birthday to Ed who is 31 on Tuesday! Ed and Rebbecca are Ralphies owners and Ralphie is Jack's best friend, they like nothing better than to run on the beach and play fight!Our next show is on the 29th and is at Lock Meadow Market in Maidstone we are in AV terrier.Good luck with any shows and puppies, lots of love Victoria and Jack Bojanles xxThank you Victoria, Jack is doing very well at agility, I am really looking forward to seeing him run in a little competition on the Fun Day! Good luck this weekend, it is not easy in AV terrier, some terriers like the Kerry Blue and Wire Fox are very showy and have ring presence that is hard to compete against.. You would be much better entering shows with bedlington classes.

Although a little cooler still sunny this Monday morning so we can't complain! It is young reporter's day and first we catch up with Sarah.

The Picture is of Lilly & Rosie before Crufts, looking curly as ever!

Here is my report for Monday : There have not been many doggie things going on down here. Well done to all the bloggers that were showing last weekend. The Kennel Club have removed the water color paintings they had for all the breed standards & now have links to their own photo library. I was looking at the Bedlingtons & on the second page there is a picture of two bedlingtons laying on the grass. When I looked closer I thought I recognized the two dogs & it turns out it was Lilly n' Rosie! A K.C photographer took the photo of them kipping at Windsor dog show last year. We recently bought a treadmill for humans & it has been taken over by Lilly! She now stands on it & waits for you to turn it on! I think she thinks it is for her & now she wants a personal trainer. In dog world last week there was the critique from Worthing no Bedlingtons, but it did have the YKC Junior Handling write-up. It is quite nice to see a critique specific to bedlingtons once in a while, as sometimes they never get in the dog papers. This week we have two shows; Essex Top Dog & National Bedlington Terrier Club. Lilly and me are representing Barking Canine Club in the Junior Handling Finals, so fingers crossed. Hopefully we will see you all at National Bedlington Terrier on Sunday, we are driving up Sunday mourning so an early starter. Sarah, Lilly & Rosie.Thank you Sarah, you have a busy week ahead, good luck in the junior handling and at National Bedlington. I am really sorry to be missing this show, so many shows clash with agility at the weekends. Hopefully Dad will take his camera, I know how the bloggersall look forward to hearing about and seeing photos from the weekend shows and events. Hopefully Derek and Billy will be there as well to take photos.